Sports
Review
“Don’t live here, don’t surf here.” Photo: Screenshot//Trailer When I sat in a theater to watch The Surfer, my initial reaction was: who is this movie for? It felt too cheesy to appeal to surfers. Poor attempts at surfer slang like “he cut it up” to describe good surfing made me wonder if they bothered […]


“Don’t live here, don’t surf here.” Photo: Screenshot//Trailer

When I sat in a theater to watch The Surfer, my initial reaction was: who is this movie for? It felt too cheesy to appeal to surfers. Poor attempts at surfer slang like “he cut it up” to describe good surfing made me wonder if they bothered to consult any surfers before turning in the script.
And on the other extreme, does the general, non-endemic audience really care about surfers’ ego-fueled pissing matches? The audience has to follow the plight of the main character, played by Nicolas Cage, as he literally spends the entire movie in a beach parking lot.
Despite a commendable 85 percent review on Rotten Tomatoes, when I sat down in the theater for an early 11:25 a.m. showing several days after its release in Santa Cruz, California – the historic birthplace of surfing in North America – it didn’t seem that anyone was too interested. I was the only person there to watch.
But as the movie progressed, my initial dull impression was warped as the movie got… weird. And I like my movies weird. I cannot stand a predictable, cookie-cutter Hollywood script where people display qualities that aren’t observed among actual humans, and the protagonist unsurprisingly saves the day.
The Surfer was anything but cookie-cutter and quickly began to live up to its Rotten Tomatoes categorization as a “psychological thriller.”
The film is a hilarious parody of surfing localism and surf culture as a whole. The local surfers wax Cage’s car with the word “kook,” steal his surfboard, throw rocks at him, threaten to shank him with a broken beer bottle, and beat up visiting French tourists. The locals repeat their mantra ad nauseam, “Don’t live here, don’t surf here.”
Cage has the ubiquitous metal water bottle that every surfer carries, a Subaru-driving, brain-fried surfer lives in the beach parking lot, the local guys smoke weed around bonfires at night, and, best of all, the main villain is wearing a not-so-intimidating changing robe for the entire film.
As outlandish and embellished as the portrayals of localism are, they aren’t far off the mark. Anyone who has surfed long enough can relate to it. During my first surf session ever in Santa Cruz when I was 14 years old, I also had locals hurl rocks at me. (Somehow, that didn’t deter me from sticking with surfing.) I’ve been name-called from a mouth so close to my face that I could shower in the mist of the man’s saliva. I’ve been run out of lineups for not being “local.” And, funny enough, the film’s release coincides with a recent surf dispute in Santa Cruz that resulted in the arrest of a man for allegedly stabbing someone who wasn’t following surf etiquette.
Director Lorcan Finnegan skillfully exaggerates the absurdity of zealous localism through hyperbole. He portrays the “Bay Boys” – inspired by a real group with the same name that dominated Lunada Bay in Palo Verdes Estates, California for decades before facing legal consequences – as a violent, cult-like gang. New members undergo bizarre initiation rituals like face painting, chanting around a fire, and branding their club members with a hot iron.
To get in a few more obvious jabs at the Bay Boys and authorities of Palos Verdes Estates, the police officer in the movie is in on the locals’ scheme, while Cage is obsessing to the brink of derangement over the purchase of a $1.6 million house on the cliffs above the beach.
“(The film) examines masculinity, in a way, and how people can be drawn towards these very toxic kind of characters who are also very charming and charismatic,” Finnegan told NPR.
I see the film as a commentary on the dual lives that many of these macho local surfers lead. On land, they are part of a community, hold jobs, and have families. But when it’s time to go surfing, they put on a costume (in the film’s case, a changing robe) as if they are disguised, becoming aggressive, irrational enforcers who project their traumas and insecurities on people they feel threatened by.
Cage grows increasingly haggard as the locals subject him to relentless psychological warfare. Eventually, he snaps, beating one of them with a wooden post and forcing him to eat a dead rat. After the bold outburst and being forced to set another man’s car on fire, he finally earns their respect and is accepted into the crew.
You never get to see Cage surf one wave in the film, but at the very end, as he’s paddling out, the leader of the surf gang takes a bullet to the head in a murder-suicide committed by a surfer who lost his son and dog to the violence of the Bay Boys. You are not quite sure if it’s all real or part of Cage’s imagination. But Cage goes surfing anyway, fiending for waves, sacrificing his morals and completing his transformation to the mob mentality of the locals.
When I stepped out of the theater, I felt entirely disassociated from the real world, still living in Cage’s psychotic, localism-induced breakdown. I had the impression that the film was a bit too “weird” to appeal to a wide audience, and didn’t really include any surfing to please surfers. But it’s worth a watch. I didn’t hate it. And if it can convert one lonely, lost, crazed local to change his ways, then props to Finnegan. But I doubt it will.
Sports
Alaksza Becomes Two-Time All-America Honorable Mention Selection
Story Links STOCKTON, Calif. – For the second straight year, Pacific women’s water polo standout Dora Alaksza was tabbed an All-America Honorable Mention by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches. The junior from Budapest, Hungary led the team with 95 goals on the season, which was the second-most in the […]

STOCKTON, Calif. – For the second straight year, Pacific women’s water polo standout Dora Alaksza was tabbed an All-America Honorable Mention by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.
The junior from Budapest, Hungary led the team with 95 goals on the season, which was the second-most in the program’s single-season history. She was named to the Golden Coast All-Conference First-Team and GCC All-Tournament Team.
Alaksza broke the school record for goals in a game with 11 in a win against Concordia on 13 shots. She scored in goal in all 24 games on the season and registered 18 hat tricks, eight four-goal games and six five-goal outings.
In three games at the GCC Tournament, Alaksza netted 11 goals. She helped the team earn a third-place finish.
Alaksza, who has another year of eligibility remaining, is up to 243 career goals, which ranks third all-time in Pacific history. She’s chasing Molly Smith’s program-leading tally of 286 goals from 1997-00 and Jessica Schroeder who is second with 268 goals from 2001-05.
Alaksza is the sixth student-athlete in program history to earn All-America honors multiple times. It includes Smith (1998, 2000), Schroeder (2003, 2005), Dara Tawarahara (2010-11), Grace Smith (2014-15) and Mariana Duarte (2017-19, 2022).
As a department at Pacific, Alaksza is the seventh Tiger to earn All-America honors in 2024-25. The list includes Alexa Edwards from women’s volleyball, and the men’s water polo quintet of Jeremie Cote, Reuel D’Souza, Bae Fountain, Matthew Hosmer and Mihailo Vukazic.
Click here to view the full ACWPC Women’s All-America teams.
Stay Social
For all the latest on Pacific women’s water polo, be sure to follow the team on X (@UOPWaterPoloU), Instagram (@pacificwaterpolo) and “like” the team’s official Facebook page (Pacific Women’s Water Polo).
#PacificProud
Sports
Sports Mutli-Media Journalist
At KPRC 2, the Graham Media Group-owned news and information hub in Houston, TX, we embrace innovation and creativity within our news team. We’re looking for a dynamic Sports Multi-Media Journalist who thrives on engaging with and enriching our community with their storytelling on our broadcast, streaming and social media channels. We’re looking for someone […]

At KPRC 2, the Graham Media Group-owned news and information hub in Houston, TX, we embrace innovation and creativity within our news team. We’re looking for a dynamic Sports Multi-Media Journalist who thrives on engaging with and enriching our community with their storytelling on our broadcast, streaming and social media channels. We’re looking for someone who’s ready to break away from the traditional constraints of a television sportscast and can excel at developing and creatively presenting “off the field” stories – unique local content you won’t get from ESPN or your favorite sports app.
POSITION OVERVIEW
As a Sports Multi-Media Journalist for Graham Media Group, you’ll need keen editorial judgment to identify sports stories in our community with real audience impact. With a focus on innovative storytelling, you will shoot and edit your stories for both linear and digital platforms. An understanding of the kind of sports content modern audiences seek out is paramount. Passion and creativity are also vital for this role and our newsroom. This position also offers exciting opportunities for growth within an organization committed to reinventing how news is delivered.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Engage viewers with compelling storytelling across all platforms, prioritizing clarity, engagement, and innovation.
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Generate unique sports story ideas daily, demonstrating a keen understanding of the community’s pulse and what kind of sports content will resonate with our target audience.
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Showcase exceptional storytelling skills as a researcher, photographer, writer and editor.
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Demonstrate the required editorial judgement, producing skills and presentation skills to serve as Sports Anchor as necessary.
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Collaborate with news management and producers to maintain a cohesive and comprehensive strategy for covering local sports as part of our daily news coverage plans.
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Produce and participate in the production and presentation of sports specials throughout the year.
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Other related duties as assigned.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
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Minimum 2 – 3 years of experience in a broadcast news environment, with demonstrated expertise in storytelling, live reporting, and newsgathering.
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Strong on-camera presence with clear, dynamic and engaging delivery.
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Exceptional interviewing skills with the ability to shoot and edit video content as needed.
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Proficiency in the industry standard editing software, newsroom rundown systems, smartphone technology, and social media platforms.
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Versatile reporting experience, including experimental video formats and innovative storytelling approaches.
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Proven track record in original sports reporting, with the ability to deliver in-depth coverage beyond standard highlights and interviews.
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Ability to thrive under tight deadlines in a fast-paced news environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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A college degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field is preferred.
Location: KPRC 2
8181 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074
To apply: Please submit your updated resume and application to:
Tiffani Lupenski, Manager of Content and Coverage
tlupenski@kprc.com
Click HERE to download and complete employment application.
Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening, investigative background check, employment/education verifications, and reference checks. You must hold a valid driver’s license and be insurable under Texas Law.
No Phone Calls Please
KPRC 2 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In addition to complying with the requirements of federal law, KPRC 2 will comply with applicable state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
Sports
Coweta County alums progressing in the minor leagues
As Bryce Alewine enjoys a strong start in the Florida Complex League with the Detroit Tigers, several other former Coweta County standouts are continuing their development in professional baseball. Tai Peete, a 2022 Trinity Christian graduate and former second-round pick by the Seattle Mariners, is now patrolling center field for the Everett AquaSox, the Mariners’ […]


As Bryce Alewine enjoys a strong start in the Florida Complex League with the Detroit Tigers, several other former Coweta County standouts are continuing their development in professional baseball.
Tai Peete, a 2022 Trinity Christian graduate and former second-round pick by the Seattle Mariners, is now patrolling center field for the Everett AquaSox, the Mariners’ High-A affiliate in the Northwest League. Originally drafted as a shortstop, Peete made the switch to the outfield this season after earning a promotion from the Modesto Nuts. Through May, the athletic 20-year-old is hitting .218 with five home runs and 23 RBIs.
Sports
Nichter and Richwine Grab USTFCCCA Honors
Story Links NEW ORLEANS – Following his national championship in the 800m last weekend in Ohio, Dickinson junior track and field athlete Trevor Richwine and assistant track and field coach Don Nichter were recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) with mid-atlantic regional awards. Mid-Atlantic Male […]

NEW ORLEANS – Following his national championship in the 800m last weekend in Ohio, Dickinson junior track and field athlete Trevor Richwine and assistant track and field coach Don Nichter were recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) with mid-atlantic regional awards.
Mid-Atlantic Male Track Athlete of the Year
Richwine, who hails from Newville, Pennsylvania, won the 800-meter title at the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships. Just a few weeks earlier, Richwine went 1:48.31 over the same distance to become the No. 9 performer in NCAA DIII history. Richwine stood out at the Centennial Conference Championships, winning the 800m in a meet record 1:51.01 and toting the baton on the champion 4×800m relay and runner-up 4×400m relay.
Mid-Atlantic Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year
Nichter, in his second year as assistant coach at Dickinson working with head coach Eric Bologa, guided Richwine to win the 800m at the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships. His distance runners combined to score 44 of Dickinson’s 109 points as the team finished third at the Centennial Conference Championships.
Sports
2025 Women’s VNL Week One Roster Announced
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 30, 2025) – USA Volleyball announces the 14-player roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will compete in the opening week of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), June 4-8 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The VNL brings together the world’s top 18 teams for three action-packed weeks of preliminary […]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 30, 2025) – USA Volleyball announces the 14-player roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will compete in the opening week of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), June 4-8 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The VNL brings together the world’s top 18 teams for three action-packed weeks of preliminary play, with each team competing in four matches per week. Only the top eight teams will earn a spot in the Final Round, where a VNL title will be on the line.
The U.S. roster features a fresh look, with 10 athletes making their VNL debut. Four returners bring valuable leadership and prior VNL experience to the court as the team begins its campaign against some of the top volleyball nations in the world.
Get Tickets to Women’s VNL in Arlington, Texas, July 9-13
Outside hitters Madi Skinner and Roni Jones-Perry, and Liberos Morgan Hentz and Zoe Jarvis are the four players with VNL experience.
Although the other 10 players have no VNL experience, several have experience playing for the senior U.S. Women’s National Team. Opposite Olivia Babcock, setter Ella Powell, outside hitters Logan Eggleston and Sarah Franklin, and middle blockers Serena Gray, Amber Igiede and Molly McCage have all competed in senior NORCECA events.
Setter Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres, middle blocker Anna Dodson, and opposite Logan Lednicky are part of the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the first time.
The U.S. Women are the reigning Olympic silver medalists and ranked No. 3 in the world. They have won the VNL three times (2018, ’19, ’21) since its inception in 2018. In 2024, they lost in the quarterfinals to eventual Olympic champion Italy, who will be their first opponent in Brazil.
U.S. Women’s Week One Roster for 2025 VNL
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)
6 Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford Univ., Pioneer)
9 Madisen Skinner (OH, 6-2, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky and Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)
13 Amber Igiede (MB, 6-3, Baton Rouge, La., Univ. of Hawaii, Bayou)
14 Anna Dodson (MB, 6-5, Fort Collins, Colo., UCLA, Rocky Mountain)
17 Zoe Jarvis (previously Fleck) (L, 5-6, Granada Hills, Calif., UCLA and Univ. of Texas, Southern California)
21 Roni Jones-Perry (OH, 6-0, West Jordan, Utah, BYU, Intermountain)
22 Sarah Franklin (OH, 6-4, Lake Worth, Fla., Univ. of Wisconsin, Florida)
24 Olivia Babcock (Opp, 6-4, Los Angeles, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)
27 Ella Powell (S, 6-0, Fayetteville, Ark., Univ. of Washington, Delta)
28 Logan Lednicky (Opp, 6-3, Sugar Land, Texas, Univ. of Texas A&M, Lone Star)
29 Molly McCage (MB, 6-3, Spring, Texas, Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)
32 Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres (S, Honolulu, Hawaii, Univ. of Texas, Aloha)
33 Logan Eggleston (OH, 6-2, Brentwood, Tenn., Univ. of Texas, Southern)
43 Serena Gray (MB, 6-2, Temple City, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)
Head Coach: Erik Sullivan
Assistant Coach: Mike Wall
Second Assistant Coach: Brandon Taliaferro
Second Assistant Coach: Tayyiba Haneef-Park
Second Assistant Coach: Joe Trinsey
Team Manager: Rob Browning
Team Doctors: William Briner, James Suchy, Chris Lee, Andrew Gregory
Physiotherapist: Kara Kessans
Physical Trainers: Shawn Hueglin, Shannon Boone
Mental Performance Coach: Andrea Becker, Katy Stanfill
Performance Analyst: Virginia Pham
Week 1 Schedule: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Matches will be shown live and on-demand on VBTV.
All times PDT
June 4 at 10 a.m. vs. Italy
June 5 at 5 p.m. vs. Brazil
June 6 at 5 p.m. vs. Czechia
June 8 at 1 p.m. vs. Korea
Sports
Texas A&M Athletics
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Six Aggies earned eight total spots in the quarterfinal round on day two of the NCAA West First Round at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday. Highlighting the day was the sprint duo of Jasmine Montgomery and Camryn Dickson who each advanced in two events. The Aggies started the day off on […]

The Aggies started the day off on a high note in the 100m hurdles, as Jaiya Covington and Jasmine Harmon earned automatic qualification to Saturday’s quarterfinals. Covington headlined the duo, winning the fifth heat of the event in 12.96, while Harmon advanced as the third qualifier in the opening heat with a personal-best time of 13.13.
Dickson and Montgomery will join their teammates in action on Saturday, advancing to the 100m quarterfinals after each winning their respective heats. Dickson posted a personal-best mark of 11.06, the fifth-fastest time of the day and the fourth-fastest time on the A&M all-time performers list. Montgomery followed suit crossing the line in 11.10, the new career mark was good for seventh on the night and ranks fifth on the A&M all-time list.
The Maroon & White added the third pair of automatic qualifiers to the quarterfinals as Jaydan Wood and Kennedy Wade notched top three times in each of their heats of the 400m. Wood used a personal-best mark of 51.47 to move into eighth in A&M’s record book, while Wade added a time of 52.49 to advance.
Doubling down on their earlier success, both Montgomery and Dickson ensured their second quarterfinal spot of the day in the 200m. Montgomery paced the event with the fastest time of the night, matching her career best of 22.39 While Dickson placed second in her heat with 22.87.
Next Up
The Aggies return to E.B. Cushing Stadium tomorrow for the third day of the NCAA West First Round.
To learn more about Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country, visit 12thMan.com and follow @aggietfxc.
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